Effect of different bio fertilizers on growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during Zaid 2024-25 at the Government Nursery, Mohgaon, Saja, Bemetara (Chhattisgarh) to evaluate integrated biofertilizer-vermicompost packages on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. cv. Radhika). The study employed a completely randomized design with 12 × 12 in. growbags (120 bags; eight treatments; three replications). Treatments included control (T₀), 100% RDF (T₁), and combinations of 75% or 50% RDF with vermicompost and biofertilizers (Azotobacter and PSB) (T₂-T₇). Growth and yield attributes recorded were days to germination, plant height, leaves per plant, branches per plant, days to first flowering, internodal length, fruits per plant, fruit size, individual fruit weight, per-plant yield, and total plot yield. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. Treatment T₄ (75% RDF + vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB) produced the best results: shortest germination (5.54 d), tallest plants (100.12 cm), highest leaf number (12.74) and branching (5.07), earliest flowering (36.92 d), longest internodes (7.12 cm), largest and heaviest fruits (14.02 cm; 15.63 g), highest fruit count (22.38 plant⁻¹), and maximum yields (346.21 g plant⁻¹; 5183.60 g plot⁻¹). T₇ (50% RDF + vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB) was a promising low-input alternative. Validation across seasons and locations is recommended.